RaboDirect PRO12 Is Launched In Dublin

The RaboDirect PRO12, rugby's premier professional club competition in Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, was today formally launched at a press conference in Dublin's Conrad Hotel.

Players and coaches from all 12 participating teams were joined by rugby legend Andy Irvine, Chairman of RaboDirect PRO12, Roel van Veggel, General Manager of RaboDirect in Ireland, Gert Bouwman, Global Head of Rabobank International Direct Banking, and John Feehan, Chief Executive of RaboDirect PRO12.

They formally launched the new RaboDirect PRO12 by unveiling the new competition trophy and welcoming the new title sponsors, RaboDirect.

Speaking at the launch, John Feehan said: "We are delighted to formally welcome RaboDirect as our new title sponsors alongside our new brand, the PRO12.

"The PRO12 is clearly more than a league, as it also involves play-off semi-finals and a showpiece final, and as such we needed a name that encapsulates both the structure and nature of the competition, more in keeping with the extraordinary growth it has experienced over the last five years.

"We are thrilled to secure the support of an international business with the global reputation of the Rabobank Group as this will raise the profile of the RaboDirect PRO12 and enhance the investment in the competition.

"We look forward to working with Roel and his team in RaboDirect to further develop and grow the RaboDirect PRO12 competition for many years to come."

Roel van Veggel from RaboDirect added: "We're absolutely delighted to be embarking on this high profile sponsorship. Rabobank Group, throughout its 100 year history, has always sought to put down firm roots in the communities where it operates.

"At RaboDirect, the online banking arm of Rabobank - now six years in Ireland, we believe that our values of passion, honesty, commitment and responsibility echo the values of this professional competition and the game of rugby union itself and so we're very confident that we've achieved an exceptional fit in securing this sponsorship.

"We're very excited about getting involved in rugby union, a sport that ignites so much passion not only in Ireland but in communities in Italy, Scotland, Wales and around the world.

"But this isn't our first foray into rugby by any means. Last week we welcomed the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels, a new team that we sponsor in the Super 15, to Dublin and they are hoping to progress further in that competition next season."

Rabobank's Gert Bouwman said: "Rabobank Group's expertise in executing sponsorships globally will allow RaboDirect to take this competition to even greater heights.

"We're looking forward to generating more enthusiasm for the competition, connecting with an even larger audience of people through their love of rugby, strengthening our ties with local communities and demonstrating RaboDirect's firm commitment to our growing number of customers, here in Ireland.

"We also look forward to using the possibilities to enhance our Rabobank brand in Italy and the UK were we have substantial corporate banking franchises."

The new RaboDirect PRO12 trophy, which is 61 cms high and with 8.3 kilos of sterling silver used in its making, was unveiled for the first time.

Andy Irvine commented that he was particularly glad to see the unique contemporary design of the new trophy as it will be clearly identifiable as 'the' trophy in Celtic and Italian rugby. It will go 'on tour' to supporters through the 12 teams and around the four countries.

He said: "Our new partnership with RaboDirect marks the start of another big step forward in the growth of this competition.

"We look forward to working with RaboDirect as well as our existing sponsors - Rhino and Specsavers, with all 12 teams in the four countries, with the match officials and with all the media, so as to ensure that rugby supporters experience the very best of an ever-improving competition."

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.